Hey,
I'm trying to figure out if my horse likes her curb bit or not. She is licking and chewing on her bit which a barn friend said that that means that she likes it and she doesn't look unhappy or happy with it to me or her. But then again she throws up her head quite often. When I had in my other bit she didn't do that. She isn't hurt in any way or anything so that's not the case. Cheyenne's been trained with every bit in her mouth so she doesn't have a reason to not like it.

Hey,
I'm trying to figure out if my horse likes her curb bit or not. She is licking and chewing on her bit which a barn friend said that that means that she likes it and she doesn't look unhappy or happy with it to me or her. But then again she throws up her head quite often. When I had in my other bit she didn't do that. She isn't hurt in any way or anything so that's not the case. Cheyenne's been trained with every bit in her mouth so she doesn't have a reason to not like it.

I'm assuming she DOESN'T like it. It might not be the specific type of bit, but maybe the size, or maybe you have it too low or too high in your horses mouth.

well I got her owner to measure it and she said that it was fine. Also, the old bit that I used was the same length. Thanks anyways though.
I'll check again next time I put it in her mouth if it's pulling or anything.

If she is throwing her head up more often in this bit, I might switch back to the old bit (or something very similar) and see how she acts with it.

Also, the problem might not be the bit--have you checked the tightness of the curb strap? Does the one you are using have chains or something that might be painful to her (sharp point, too tight, etc)?

I agree that throwing her head up more means that the curb might be too tight. OR, the bit is not positioned at the right height. Too high, horse feels gagged, too low, bangs front teeth. In both cases the horse will react by being fussy with his mouth. check the height of bit in mouth.
Bit too thick can be too much for a low palated horse, but maybe this is not the case.

Heyyyy... my name is Cheyenne! I'm assuming your horse is Cheyenne? I used to think it was such an uncommon name. Where I board, the owner's granddaughter is Cheyenne, and a young girl that lives next door is also Cheyenne. I think it better suits a horse... :)

And I agree with checking to make sure the curb isn't too tight. Or, for that matter, the fitting of the bridle in general. How long are the shanks on your curb? How does the bit compare to your other bit? Photos may be helpful.

If she is throwing her head up more often in this bit, I might switch back to the old bit (or something very similar) and see how she acts with it.

Also, the problem might not be the bit--have you checked the tightness of the curb strap? Does the one you are using have chains or something that might be painful to her (sharp point, too tight, etc)?

I agree that throwing her head up more means that the curb might be too tight. OR, the bit is not positioned at the right height. Too high, horse feels gagged, too low, bangs front teeth. In both cases the horse will react by being fussy with his mouth. check the height of bit in mouth.
Bit too thick can be too much for a low palated horse, but maybe this is not the case.

Why use a curb? Neck reining? gaming?

Well I mainly use a curb because my dad found it at a garage sale with a whole bunch of other horsey stuff (he knows nothing about horses) and he's like "Hey this is horse stuff and hey it's cheap I'll get it for Jess!" so that's what he did and it's the only one that I have that fits Cheyenne and I don't wanna go and get another one unless I have to (haha lazy me). Also I do showing once in a while and we have to neck rein, and sometimes I do games just when I'm in the arena alone. But not too often. That's basically it.

Heyyyy... my name is Cheyenne! I'm assuming your horse is Cheyenne? I used to think it was such an uncommon name. Where I board, the owner's granddaughter is Cheyenne, and a young girl that lives next door is also Cheyenne. I think it better suits a horse... :)

And I agree with checking to make sure the curb isn't too tight. Or, for that matter, the fitting of the bridle in general. How long are the shanks on your curb? How does the bit compare to your other bit? Photos may be helpful.

haha! Cool! I also know someone who often comes to the barn for lessons who's name is Cheyenne! lol!
I'll post a pic of the old bit, the new bit, the old bit in her mouth and the new bit in her mouth. I don't really know much about bits, I more rely on Cheyenne's owner about that, but anyways ya. I'll do that.

click on the picture to enlarge. The titles are under the pic. The curb is the new bit and the other bit is one of the bits that I often use. I usually use a different bridle instead of the old bit that I showed, but I couldn't find it so I'll post more pics of it next time I go to the barn.

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